A Happy 2018

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AMC perception report

A very happy new year to all our readers. During 2018 we will aim to keep you informed about the events, activities and issues that relate to the life of our church and our aim to share God's love for all people.

In the process, especially in our fights against injustice, inequalities, natural and man-made disasters, it is easy to believe that we live in a dark, worsening world. So it is reassuring to find that a recent Ipsos MORI global survey found that we all tend to give more weight to bad news than good. For instance:

  • The murder rate in most countries has fallen significantly in the past 15 years. That's the reality, but most people don't believe it — fewer than one in 10 thinks there are fewer murders
  • Deaths from terrorist attacks around the world were lower in the past 15 years than in the previous 15 — but only a fifth of us think that's the case.
  • In some countries, they think about half of teenage girls get pregnant every year: in reality, the highest figure for any country is 6.7%, and the rate across all 38 countries is just 2%.

    On a similar theme, President Obama, in his recent broadcast interview with Prince Harry, spoke of how this was the best of times to be around, as in general, people are healthier, wealthier, better educated and less prejudiced than in 'the good old days'.

    So in all that we do, may we all strive to make 2018 a more optimistic cup-half-full, rather than cup-half-empty year.

    For more details on the report, click here.

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